IEM Cologne 2025 Stage 1Liquid move past FlyQuest into Cologne Stage 2
The North American team survive a scare in a high-octane elimination series.
Liquid are through to Stage 2 of IEM Cologne following a 2-1 victory over FlyQuest in an elimination series where the teams won each other's map picks in dominant fashion before the decider map went the way of Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek's troops.
It's a disappointing end to FlyQuest's debut with Justin "jks" Savage. The Australian team showed glimpses of potential in Stage 1, but their results showed that they still have a lot of work to do to get everyone on the same page and compete with the best in the world. They will return to action in a week's time, at BLAST Rising Asia in Mongolia.
| Date | Matches | |
|---|---|---|
| IEM Cologne 2025 Stage 1 | ||
| 23/07/2025 |
Finished
1:2 |
Match |
| 24/07/2025 |
Finished
1:2 |
Match |
| 25/07/2025 |
Finished
1:2 |
Match |
FlyQuest romped to an early lead on Nuke after winning the pistol round convincingly, but their grip on the game didn't last. Liquid were in control during the rest of the half, with Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken leading the way with a stunning 19-4 score.
More misery was heaped on the Australians after the break as Liquid increased their lead with a clean pistol round as Roland "ultimate" Tomkowiak and Twistzz combined for five kills. A 1v2 from the Canadian just two rounds later put Liquid on map point, and the North American squad easily held off FlyQuest's comeback attempt for a quick finish.
FlyQuest didn't let the Nuke blowout get to them and took control of Dust2 from the initial exchanges, winning 11 rounds in a row on the CT side before Liquid finally managed to salvage something out of their T half.
The North Americans followed it up with two more rounds after a lively start to their CT side, but their respite was brief as Iulian "regali" Harjău put FlyQuest on map point with a Scout 4K before helping his team secure the game in the following round.
FlyQuest picked up where they had left off as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the complexion of the game changed once the gun rounds came into play, with Liquid racking up eight rounds after a solid defensive showing.
Guy "NertZ" Iluz added to Liquid's lead with a Glock ace, with ultimate and Keith "NAF" Markovic clutching a 2v4 situation in the following round. Down 12-4, FlyQuest put together a string of rounds, but their comeback hopes were crushed by NAF in a 1v1 situation just when the Australians were about to enter double-digit territory.
More highlights:
 FlyQuest |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 - 41 | +0.84% | 83.9 | 71.9% | 1.15 | |
| 41 - 39 | +0.26% | 76.3 | 71.9% | 1.09 | |
| 45 - 37 | -0.32% | 70.6 | 70.2% | 1.06 | |
| 34 - 43 | -1.99% | 66.5 | 61.4% | 0.88 | |
| 32 - 38 | +0.16% | 64.8 | 66.7% | 0.88 |
 Liquid |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 - 36 | +1.09% | 78.5 | 71.9% | 1.23 | |
| 43 - 39 | -0.91% | 95.9 | 75.4% | 1.21 | |
| 41 - 39 | -0.76% | 76.8 | 70.2% | 1.08 | |
| 32 - 38 | -0.24% | 62.4 | 71.9% | 0.99 | |
| 33 - 38 | +1.87% | 63.9 | 75.4% | 0.96 |
Erdenetsogt 'erkaSt' Gantulga
Viktor 'flashie' Tamás Bea
asyl1m
chunkgamergod
SZEMIXO
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Tibuuron
Umbreolas
Artofenrir
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iejesus
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TWGKofi
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Vrede
